Calling pianists! - 2 handed chromatic scale

[engstrom0304]

Hey guys...

learning this..

at 1.15, he does a really quick chromatic scale... i notice he's using both hands, anyone done this? Which notes do you do that on? How do you do it?!

 

[Narj]

I'm nowhere near that level and it's hard to see but I've had to do some fast chromatics in some Chopin recently and the fastest/most efficient way of doing it was to use as many fingers as possible, eg: 1,2,3,4,1,2,3,1,2,3,4 rather than the "standard" AB 1,3,1,3,1,2. I'd imagine you could interchange hands using this trick across a longer run.

Do you have the sheet music for it? Surely if you're learning it, the music must give some clue? No fingerings or markings?

 

[Tom0]

Why do people play the piano with such exaggerated movements?

 

[engstrom0304]

I'm nowhere near that level and it's hard to see but I've had to do some fast chromatics in some Chopin recently and the fastest/most efficient way of doing it was to use as many fingers as possible, eg: 1,2,3,4,1,2,3,1,2,3,4 rather than the "standard" AB 1,3,1,3,1,2. I'd imagine you could interchange hands using this trick across a longer run.

Do you have the sheet music for it? Surely if you're learning it, the music must give some clue? No fingerings or markings?

This is all i have for it...

Thanks for your advice though

 

[Narj]

Why do people play the piano with such exaggerated movements?

A lot of the time there's a good reason. Usually to do with a particular technique required (eg: stacatto) or to achieve the desired phrasing. But yeah, some do go way over the top.

 

[Maccy]

Can't say I've ever done that when playing the piano, but I imagine it'll be a mixture of going back and forth.
Tom0 - why do you dance when you hear music? Music is a way for people to express themselves.

 

[Narj]

This is all i have for it...

Thanks for your advice though

Well you have finger markings for the thumb at least so that is a start! There's no suggestion about swapping hands so I think the pianist in that video has just taken the liberty of using whatever feels best for him.

Looking at that top right bar, assuming RH from the F natural I'd take it with 1,2,3,4 1,2,3,4(C) 3,2,1 4,3,2,1 - it seems to be what they're suggesting IMO. Apply the same logic to the rest. This sort of run seems to crop up a lot in the likes of Chopin Nocturnes which is the only reason it doesn't scare the crap out of me.

 

[cheechm]

Great ending!

My advice to you is to keep relaxed. The problem a lot of people have when trying to play fast is they tense and then just make it harder for themselves. Also, don't try to play fast. If you think "oh I need to match that tempo" then you won't make it. You start off trying to get it perfect at the slowest of speeds. Then what I did was once I got it perfect I played it 3 times at one speed and kept going up and up, gradually getting faster. And then once you think you've got it, do it backwards!

 

[Narj]

Great ending!

My advice to you is to keep relaxed. The problem a lot of people have when trying to play fast is they tense and then just make it harder for themselves. Also, don't try to play fast. If you think "oh I need to match that tempo" then you won't make it. You start off trying to get it perfect at the slowest of speeds. Then what I did was once I got it perfect I played it 3 times at one speed and kept going up and up, gradually getting faster. And then once you think you've got it, do it backwards!

Speed seems to stem from security. Once you know something so well that you barely have to think about it, you can engage "auto-pilot" and speed comes naturally IME.

Lots to be said for allowing a natural "leading" of fingers as well (like a centipede) rather than thinking of each note as being a completely separate entity. At least that's how I've managed to get runs up to a half decent speed.

 

[arty]

The run starts in the right hand and alternates as indicated by the direction of the beams, in 4 finger groups. Personally I'd find that easier than some of the heavy octave figuration in that piece. It's basically just a chromatic glissando so I wouldn't worry too much about playing it metronomically

 

[cheechm]

Exactly, and that is essentially what you are doing by playing it slowly. Your fingers start to learn the movements, and then as you said they can go on "autopilot".

One other thing I forget, trying splitting the notes into groups and playing with several different rhythms, really help security. I do dotted, double dotted and triplets. And then also with different techniques such as slurred and staccato.

 

[Narj]

The run starts in the right hand and alternates as indicated by the direction of the beams, in 4 finger groups. Personally I'd find that easier than some of the heavy octave figuration in that piece. It's basically just a chromatic glissando so I wouldn't worry too much about playing it metronomically

How did I miss the beams in opposite directions. LOL. Makes much more sense now, I should have looked further along. Anyway, that explains why I'm not playing stuff like this yet.

Good luck, OP.